On Friday, 29 May 2026, the Integrated Justice System demonstrated the full operational value of the Integrated Persons Management (IPM) system when a rugged IJS device was deployed on site to support the repatriation of Ghanaian citizens from South Africa.
In a live, coordinated operation, representatives from the Ghanaian High Commission, the South African Police Service (SAPS), and the Department of Home Affairs worked together to verify the criminal status of departing nationals in real time. Using the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) through the IPM platform, Lieutenant Colonel Ramabina and the SAPS team were able to generate criminal verification reports on site within seconds. The same process previously required between four and six weeks.
This milestone is more than a technology success. It reflects what becomes possible when eight government departments operate as one system. The ability to conduct instant AFIS checks on site meant that authorities could confirm whether any individual had outstanding warrants, pending cases, or prior convictions before departure, supporting both accountability and the lawful administration of justice.
Beyond speed, IPM improves accuracy by drawing information directly from verified national databases, reducing the risk of human error and enabling confident, evidence-based decisions in the field.
The 29 May operation also demonstrated the strength of cross-departmental collaboration in South Africa's broader border management environment. The real-time exchange of information between law enforcement, immigration authorities, and a foreign diplomatic mission would not have been possible without the foundation that the IJS has built over years of sustained investment and coordination.
The IJS provided both the programme investment and the coordination support that carried IPM from concept through to live operational deployment. What once took weeks now takes seconds. That is the measure of what integrated digital infrastructure, applied to real-world operations, can achieve for public administration and national security.
Integrated Justice System (IJS) officials showcase the IPM device at the Ghana High Commission following the successful live operational deployment.
On-site verification: A rugged IJS device is used to scan fingerprints and verify passports in real time, linking directly to national databases through the Integrated Persons Management platform.
Authorities process criminal verification reports on-site within seconds; this replaces a manual system that previously took four to six weeks to complete.
The Enterprise Architecture (EA) team within the Integrated Justice System (IJS) Programme hosted its EA Workshops on 17 April 2025, convening stakeholders to advance a unified and strategic architecture framework across the Programme.
Read moreInternational legal cases that once took weeks to coordinate now move in real time. The launch of the Mutual Legal Assistance and Extradition Management Portal (EMREP) marks a turning point in how South Africa handles cross-border justice.
Read moreOn 17 April 2026, SAPS Technology Management Services (TMS) and the Integrated Justice System (IJS) Programme Management Office conducted a change readiness assessment at SAPS Mabopane Police Station, led by Station Commander Colonel Sithole, as part of the Integrated Person Management (IPM) system rollout.
Read moreSenior leaders from across the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS) Cluster convened in Pretoria on 26–27 February 2026 for the IJS Strategic Planning Retreat. The gathering reflected on progress made, identified areas for strengthening, and agreed on shared priorities for the 2026/27 financial year; all in pursuit of a more integrated, efficient, and secure criminal justice system.
Read moreThe South African Police Service (SAPS) has successfully rolled out the Integrated Persons Management (IPM) system across four Free State stations namely, Botshabelo, Selosesha, Thaba Nchu, and Boithuso, on 29 September to 3 October 2025.
Read moreSouth Africa took centre stage in the global legal community when it hosted the landmark J20 Summit in Sandton, Johannesburg, from 3–4 September 2025. The gathering brought together the Heads of Constitutional and Supreme Courts from G20 countries under the theme, “Justice in a Time of Change: Independence, Innovation and Co-operation.”
Read moreThe Justice, Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS) Cluster showed its commitment to community safety when Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi led a focused outreach programme in Mthatha, Eastern Cape, on 18 September 2025. The programme was designed to address crime and violence through a visible, coordinated government response.
Read moreThe Department of Justice and Constitutional Development (DOJ&CD) wrapped up its nationwide Wills Week campaign with a successful closing event in Mthatha, Eastern Cape, on 19 September 2025. Deputy Minister Andries Nel officiated the programme, held at Ikhwezi Lokusa Special School, ending a week-long effort to promote access to justice and legal certainty for South African families.
Read moreThe Department of Correctional Services (DCS) convened a National Parole Review Summit at Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Facility on 22–23 September 2025. The goal: fix systemic flaws, rebuild public trust, and sharpen how parole supports community safety. For two days, experts, policymakers, and victim support groups sat around the same table to discuss how to balance rehabilitation with public safety.
Read moreThe Integrated Justice System (IJS) and the Office of the Chief Justice (OCJ) reached a major milestone when the Court Online project was nominated for the prestigious Digital Governance Award at GovTech 2025 in Durban. The nomination recognised the project’s role in modernising justice delivery, digitising case management, and making court processes more transparent and efficient. Standing alongside initiatives such as the Information Regulator’s data programme, the CIPC Beneficial Ownership Register, and eventual category winner SALGA, Court Online’s nomination was a strong endorsement of its national impact.
Read moreBeyond awards, GovTech 2025 served as a strategic platform for shaping the justice sector’s digital future. The conference highlighted crucial trends such as cybersecurity, cloud adoption, connectivity in rural areas, and the growing role of artificial intelligence in public service delivery. For the IJS team, these discussions were not abstract but practical lessons for strengthening the justice value chain.
Read moreMinister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Ms. Mmamoloko "Nkhensani" Kubayi addressed the National Assembly on the Office of the Chief Justice (OCJ) Budget Vote, reaffirmed government’s commitment to modernising South Africa’s courts through digital innovation.
Read moreThe journey to modernise South Africa’s criminal justice system continues to gain traction, with the spotlight now firmly on the South African Police Service’s (SAPS) Integrated Person Management (IPM) system. This advancement is part of the broader Integrated Justice System (IJS) modernisation and digitisation strategy, which aims to improve coordination, efficiency, and information-sharing across justice cluster departments.
Read moreIt is all systems go for court users at the Middelburg High Court as the Court Online system went live on 22 May 2025. This means the court has begun the move from paper files to a digital system that allows documents to be filed and accessed electronically.
Read moreDigital transformation in the justice system is not only about technology. It's about the people who make the system work every day. On the 27th June in Bisho , court officials from across the Eastern Cape came together for the Change Champions and Agents Workshop, hosted by the Office of the Chief Justice (OCJ) in partnership with the Integrated Justice System (IJS) Programme.
Read moreRemarkable strides have been made in the quest towards an effective South African justice system since the technology visions of some 30 years ago – an era of modernising the next-generation technology of the time, rapidly evolving it into the user-orientated tools that formed the foundation for the world we know today.
Read moreThis month, we are shining a light on a significant step further for South Africa’s justice system.
Read moreThe IJS held its strategic planning session on February 20-21, 2025, at Diep in die Berg in Pretoria.
Read moreThe Western Cape High Court has officially embraced the digital age with the launch of the Court Online system, marking a significant step in the judiciary’s modernisation journey.
Read moreThe Integrated Justice System (IJS) Programme Management Office (PMO) is taking a significant step forward in its commitment to excellence. In an exciting development, the PMO has begun piloting the implementation of a Project Portfolio Office (PPO) system. This initiative aims to bolster project management, governance, and change management across all IJS projects.
Read moreThe national pilot of IPM's latest enhancements has been met with enthusiasm across various provinces:
Read moreIn showcasing technological advancement in law enforcement, the South African Police Service (SAPS) - Integrated System Management, (IPM) system proved its worth in a recent case spanning multiple jurisdictions.
Read morePlease wait...